The Third Dixon [The walking dead]

Chapter ten

Measi sat cross-legged on the concrete beside Glenn as he finished scratching the last lines of a crude prison layout into the dust with a piece of chalk. The white marks stood out starkly against the gray floor—cell blocks, corridors, the boiler room—each one a reminder of how exposed they really were.

Glenn leaned back on his heels and pointed. "Now—you said Tyreese's group came in through here?"

He tapped the section near the boiler. Carl nodded, arms crossed. "Yeah. That's what he thought."

Measi frowned immediately. "I cleared that area," she said. "Top to bottom. No walkers, no breaches."

Carl crouched and pointed again, farther down the sketch. "Then maybe here. He said he might've come through this side."

Measi's frown deepened. She leaned forward, tracing the front of the prison with her finger. "That means there's another breach. Maybe more than one." She looked up at the others. "The whole front of this place is compromised. If walkers can just stroll in, then armed men won't even have to try."

Beth, kneeling beside her, spoke gently. "Why are we so sure he's even coming? Maybe you scared him off."

Michonne's voice cut through the hope like a blade. "He kept fish tanks full of heads. Walkers. People."

Nathan, leaning against a nearby support beam, let out a sharp breath. "Jesus." He looked away, jaw tight, one hand unconsciously flexing near his ribs.

"He's coming," Michonne finished flatly.

Glenn pushed himself to his feet. "Then we should hit him first. He won't expect it." His eyes flicked to Measi, then locked onto Michonne. "We sneak back in. One bullet. It's over."

Measi shook her head. "We're not assassins, Glenn."

"You know where he lives," Glenn pressed, stepping closer to Michonne. "You and me—we could end this tonight."

Michonne exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over her face. Glenn scoffed. "Fine. I'll do it myself."

"No." Hershel's voice was firm. "Last time, he didn't know you were coming, and look what happened. You were almost killed. Daryl was captured." His eyes shifted, softer now. "And Nathan, Maggie... you were nearly executed."

Measi glanced at Nathan instinctively. He hadn't said much since they got back—had barely looked at her, even now. He stood rigid, like if he stopped moving he'd feel everything at once.

"You can't stop me," Glenn said.

"Rick would never allow it," Hershel replied.

Glenn's jaw tightened. "You really think he's in any position to make that call right now?"

Silence followed.

Hershel took a breath. "Think clearly. T-Dog died here. Lori. The men we lost. This place... it costs us every time." He spread his hands. "If he's really coming, then maybe we shouldn't be here at all."

"And go where?" Measi asked quietly.

Hershel met her eyes. "We lived on the road all winter."

Glenn snorted. "Back when you had two legs—and before we had a baby crying loud enough to draw walkers from miles away."

Measi pressed her lips together. She hated that he was right.

"We can't stay," Beth said, voice small.

"We can't run," Glenn shot back. Maggie turned away then, walking toward the far wall. Glenn watched her go, then sighed heavily.

"All right," he said finally. "We stay. We defend this place. We make a stand."